Methods for generating year-round access to amphioxus in the laboratory.

摘要: Cephalochordates, commonly known as amphioxus, are key to understanding vertebrate origins. However, laboratory work suffers from limited access adults and embryonic material. Here we report the design experimental validation of an inland marine facility that allows establishing stable amphioxus colonies in obtaining embryos at any time day over almost entire year, far exceeding natural conditions. This is achieved by mimicking benthic environment, day- moon- light, substrate providing a strictly controlled seasonally fluctuating temperature regimen. Moreover, supplemented algae diets allow animals refill their gonads consecutive years. Spontaneous spawning, major problem previous setups, no longer occurs our facility; instead, all breeding induced fertilization fully vitro. Our system makes standard animal model.